There is no doubt that Doraemon is absolutely best-known and a hero as an animation character not only in Japan, but also in other countries. Doraemon was created as a robot, sent to assist a fourth-grade knucklehead named Nobi Nobita from 22nd century, and has captured the hearts and inspired the dreams of children around the world 30 years ago by the author, through comic books, televisions and movies. The author of Doraemon, Fujiko Fujio, passed away in September 1996 and became an award-winning writer later on. Doraemon is still remained as the best superstar in this world and our minds. The secrets of his fame for the Japanese are: history, global activities which DoraemonÂfs production company deals with, fascination of the tool from his four-dimensional pocket on his stomach and educational aspects of the stories.
Sales of the Doraemon comic series have been extremely increasing from the beginning, but still. As of December 1999 forty-five volumes of the Doraemon comic series had been published, as well as 19 full-length books, which were the basis for the Doraemon movies. Today, from 1.5 million to 2 million copies are sold each year, and total sales of some 100 million makes the series one of JapanÂfs all-time best sellers. There have been 1,700 episodes of the ÂgDoraemonÂh animated television series, which began in 1979, and 21 ÂgDoraemonÂh movies have drawn a total audience of close to 63 million. A new film was scheduled to be released in March 2000. Several years ago, a final episode to the Doraemon series was posted on the Internet and caused a huge commotion all over Japan.
The producer of Doraemon always keeps eyes open to the issues of the world, not only Japan. Doraemon has been popular all over the world. The comic series has been published officially in nine languages in 10 coutries and regions, including South Korea, China, Thailand, and Spain. In 1993, a pirated edition published in Vietnam proved popular. Moreover, when the official version was published in October 1998 it sold over 10 million copies and became a bestseller, the animation series made its overseas debut in Hong Kong in 1981, and has since been broadcast in numerous countries, including Italy, Brazil, and Singapore.
In 1992, it was shown in Russia as a part of a joint Japan-Russia friendship and exchange program. Doraemon has transcended books and television to become one of JapanÂfs goodwill ambassadors, with initiatives like the Doraemon Education Fund in Vietnam and the Doraemon Fund-Raising Campain to help provide relief to victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey.
One of the most fascinated aspects of Doraemon is his collection of over 1,800 Âgsecret gadgets.Âh Most of children who watch the series have been inspired by these devices: a tiny propeller, which when placed on his head, becomes a Âgpersonal copterÂh enabling him to fly: a Âgwherever doorÂh through which he can walk to wherever he wants to go; and his four dimensional pocket, which houses his endless assortment of gadgets. When you were a child, although it was not possible to do, you probably had hoped to fly into the spacious sky. That was always impossible thing to do physically. The one who dreams about such wishes is Nobi Nobita, as a substitute of children, in an animation. Doraemon is at NobitaÂfs home for his assistant to fulfill the small wish of a child. Doraemon also has a large following among robotics researchers. Although Doraemon as a robot is a complex machine, he is friendly toward people, and the fact that his devices sometimes fail gives his a human quality.
The Doraemon stories are composed in a simple life and take a long, steady look at issues of moral and ethical importance. Stories always have been told about environmental issues in the face of danger, parental love and guidance. Some stories are educational and serious subjects like biology, history, genetics, archaeology and geology. When these elements are combined with comedy, familiar characters, and an excess of fun and fantastic gadgets, there is very little doubt about why Doraemon became a hero and popular, or why so many Japanese can look back it with such love.
With Doraemon now 30 years old, those who grew up with him from beginning of the comic series are now in their thirties and forties. As a result, there are now many parents who share affection for Doraemon with their children. Fujiko Fujio, the original author, passed away in 1996, but the magazine, television, and movie series still have been living on. DoraemonÂfs real birthday in the story is September 3, 2112 more than one hundred years away. Until then, the lovable robot is sure to continue inspiring the dreams of children throughout the world. Doraemon is the best and forever hero in Japan. I wish Doraemon could help me to write this essay.
